WFP urges partnerships to end food shortage

The World Food Programme (WFP) has emphasised the need for bold and constructive partnerships between governments, businesses and organisations to create momentum towards achieving zero hunger.

In a statement released on Sunday to mark World Food Day which is commemorated on October 16 every year, WFP executive director Ertharin Cousin said ending hunger is possible if everybody can help build a world where everyone, everywhere has access to nutritious food.

“Whether in a humanitarian or developmental context, partnerships must be bold, strategic and innovative, and be measured by how they change the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people,” he said.

The statement further said innovation plays a fundamental role in ensuring that partnerships catalyse and drive change while also rallying ordinary people around the globe to take action against hunger.

On that note, the statement said WFP’s ShareTheMeal app has engaged a new generation of people supporting the mission and more than 620 000 people have donated through a “simple” tap on their mobile phone, sharing over 8.2 million meals and following the impact of their donations via social media.

In her remarks, WFP country representative for Malawi Coco Ushiyama said Malawi is in an extremely vulnerable situation, with estimates showing that more than two in five people will be food insecure by the height of the lean season in the early months of next year.

“In hard times such as these, WFP’s school meals play a vital role, enabling children, particularly girls, to remain in school when their parents would otherwise take them out of class to help find food for the household. We encourage you to join ShareTheMeal efforts today,” she said.

Malawi is facing one of the worst hunger situations in recent years.

In April this year, President  Peter Mutharika declared a state of national disaster caused by prolonged dry spells and floods during the 2015/2016 season.

He appealed to local and international well-wishers to assist the country mitigate the impact of the drought and floods. n